Transaction data processing apparatus connected to an external device for data communication

ABSTRACT

A transaction data processing apparatus includes a scanning unit configured to scan a product code of a product related to a transaction, a printing unit configured to print transaction data on a sheet, a communication unit configured to transmit the transaction data to an external device over a network, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to generate the transaction data based on the scanned product code, determine whether the network is online or offline, and control the communication unit to transmit the transaction data to the external device when the network is online, and the printing unit to print the transaction data on the sheet when the network is offline.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromJapanese Patent Application Nos. 2014-180444 and 2014-180445, filed Sep.4, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a transaction dataprocessing apparatus, in particular, a transaction data processingapparatus connected to an external device for data communication.

BACKGROUND

A transaction data processing apparatus in an electronic receipt systemtransmits electronic data of a transaction at a store (i.e., anelectronic receipt) to a computing device of a customer, instead of orin addition to printing a conventional paper receipt.

The electronic receipt is useful to the customer, because the customercan manage his or her transactions electronically. Further, theelectronic receipt is useful to the store, because the store can reducepaper usage and with full conversion, will not need to invest inmachines that issue the paper receipt. In addition, providing electronicreceipts instead of paper receipts may reduce the time necessary tocarry out settlement processing for the transaction.

The transaction data processing apparatus is connected to the electronicreceipt system generally via a network such as a private network. Whenan error occurs in the network, communication to or from the transactiondata processing apparatus is in an offline state. In such a case, theelectronic receipt cannot be properly delivered to the computing deviceof the customer. Therefore, the customer cannot check the content of thetransaction on the computing device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an electronic receipt system according to a firstembodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a first identification code displayed on a mobiledevice according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a POS terminal in the electronic receiptsystem according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of output setting according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a store server in the electronic receiptsystem according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a company server in the electronic receiptsystem according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an electronic receipt server in theelectronic receipt system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a data structure of a membership mastermanaging region (membership master) stored in the electronic receiptserver according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a format of a first identification codein the membership master.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the mobile device in the electronicreceipt system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a functional configuration of a controlunit in the POS terminal according to the first embodiment.

FIGS. 12 and 13 each are a schematic diagram showing an example ofreceipt information according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a receipt generating process performed by thePOS terminal according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a receipt outputting process performed by thePOS terminal according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a functional configuration of a controlunit in a POS terminal according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a receipt outputting process performed by thePOS terminal according to the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, according to an embodiment, a transaction data processingapparatus includes a scanning unit configured to scan a product code ofa product related to a transaction, a printing unit configured to printtransaction data on a sheet, a communication unit configured to transmitthe transaction data to an external device over a network, and a controlunit. The control unit is configured to generate the transaction databased on the scanned product code, determine whether the network isonline or offline, and control the communication unit to transmit thetransaction data to the external device when the network is online, andthe printing unit to print the transaction data on the sheet when thenetwork is offline.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration example of an electronic receiptsystem according to a first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, anelectronic receipt system 1 includes POS terminals 2, store servers 3,company servers 4, an electronic receipt server 5, and a mobile device6.

The POS terminals 2 and the store servers 3 are located in each ofstores P1. The POS terminal 2 and the store server 3 in each store P1are connected via a network N1 such as local area network (LAN) so as tocommunicate with each other. The POS terminal 2 and the store server 3are connected to a network N2 that connects the stores P1 and thecompany server 4 through a network device (not shown) such as a routerconnected to the network N1. The network N2 is a private network such asthe Internet or a virtual private network (VPN).

The POS terminal 2 functions as a printing control device in the presentembodiment. The POS terminal 2 performs processes related to varioustransactions such as merchandize sales registration, and generatesreceipt information indicating the transaction content thereof. The POSterminal 2 outputs a sheet receipt by printing the generated receiptinformation by a printer 23. The POS terminal 2 generates electronicreceipt information obtained by converting a data format of the receiptinformation and outputs (transmits) the generated information to theelectronic receipt server 5 through the store server 3.

The store server 3 generally manages a merchandise sales data processperformed in the POS terminal 2. For example, the store server 3transmits the electronic receipt information generated in the POSterminal 2 to the company server 4 at a predetermined timing. The storeserver 3 stores and manages a merchandise master used in the merchandisesales data process or a company membership master.

The number of POS terminals 2 in each store P1 is not particularlylimited, and may be plural. Although it is described in the presentembodiment that the POS terminal 2 outputs the electronic receiptinformation, the present embodiment is not limited thereto. For example,the store server 3 or a non-illustrated conversion device may convertthe receipt information generated in the POS terminal 2 into electronicreceipt information, and may output the converted information to theelectronic receipt server 5.

The company servers 4 are respectively provided in companies P2 thatoperate the stores P1. The company server 4 and the respective stores P1of the company are connected through the network N2 so as to communicatewith each other. The company servers 4 and the electronic receipt server5 are connected via a network N3 such as the Internet or a VPN so as tocommunicate with each other.

The company server 4 has functions such as sales management, salesanalysis, and inventory management of the company. The company server 4receives the electronic receipt information transmitted from therespective stores P1 via the network N2. The company server 4 transmitsthe electronic receipt information of the respective stores P1 to theelectronic receipt server 5 via the network N3. The company server 4transmits (sends) the company membership master, which is received fromthe electronic receipt server 5 to the store servers 3 of the respectivestores P1 via the network N2.

The electronic receipt server 5 collectively manages the electronicreceipt information of the respective companies P2. The electronicreceipt server 5 stores and manages membership data of the respectivecustomers (members) registered in the electronic receipt system in amembership master. Here, the membership data of a member includes afirst identification code, name, and transmission destinationinformation of the mobile device 6 (for example, an electronic mailaddress), which is a transmission destination of the electronic receiptinformation. The electronic receipt server 5 stores and manages a secondidentification code in correlation with the first identification codefor which correlation registration has been performed (to be describedbelow).

The electronic receipt server 5 extracts data indicating a correlationrelationship between the first identification code and the secondidentification code from the membership data stored in the membershipmaster for each company. The electronic receipt server 5 provides(transmits) the extracted data as the company membership master to thecompany server 4 of the corresponding company.

The electronic receipt server 5 receives the electronic receiptinformation transmitted from the respective stores P1 via the networkN3, and stores and manages the received information in an electronicreceipt managing region. More specifically, the electronic receiptinformation includes an element such as the first identification code inaddition to the transaction content, and is managed in correlation withthe corresponding membership data.

When the electronic receipt information is stored in the electronicreceipt managing region, the electronic receipt server 5 specifies atransmission destination (mobile device 6) by referring to thetransmission destination information correlated with the firstidentification code of the electronic receipt information. Theelectronic receipt server 5 provides (transmits) the electronic receiptinformation stored in the electronic receipt managing region to thetransmission destination thereof via the network N4. When an electronicreceipt inquiry that designates the first identification code isreceived from the mobile device 6, the electronic receipt server 5extracts the electronic receipt corresponding to the firstidentification code from the electronic receipt managing region, andprovides (transmits) the extracted receipt to the mobile device 6.

The mobile device 6 is a computing device carried by a user (customer)of the electronic receipt system. Examples of the mobile device 6include a smartphone, a mobile telephone, personal digital assistant(PDA), and a tablet computer. The mobile device 6 has applications suchas a Web browser for browsing various kinds of information provided overthe network N4. A larger computing device such as a desktop or notebookPC may be used in place of the mobile device 6.

The mobile device 6 performs membership registration to the electronicreceipt system by accessing the electronic receipt server 5 via thenetwork N4. Here, the network N4 is the internet or various publicnetworks.

The membership registration to the electronic receipt system isperformed according to the following processes, for example. Thecustomer transmits a blank mail to the electronic receipt server 5 usingthe mobile device 6. The electronic receipt server 5 transmits a uniformresource locator (URL) of a page for the membership registration to thereceived mail address. The customer accesses the page for the membershipregistration from the mobile device 6 using the received URL, and themobile device 6 displays an input screen for inputting information(name, and transmission destination information) necessary for themembership registration. After the necessary information is input by thecustomer, the electronic receipt server 5 performs the membershipregistration on the membership master. Thereafter, the electronicreceipt server distributes a membership registration completion mailincluding the first identification code to the mobile device 6. In thismanner, the membership registration is performed.

After such membership registration, the mobile device 6 displays thefirst identification code of the customer as a code symbol CS such as abarcode or a two-dimensional code on a display unit 63, as shown in FIG.2. The customer presents the code symbol CS displayed on the mobiledevice 6 to a salesperson at the time of a transaction in the store P1.The salesperson reads the code symbol CS displayed on the mobile device6 using a code scanner 25 (see FIG. 3) connected to the POS terminal 2.Thus, it is possible to correlate the first identification code of thecustomer with the receipt information generated in the POS terminal 2for the transaction.

After the transaction at the POS terminal 2 is performed, the mobiledevice 6 receives the electronic receipt information of the transactionfrom the electronic receipt server 5 via the network N4. The mobiledevice 6 receives the electronic receipt information related to thefirst identification code from the electronic receipt server 5 bytransmitting the electronic receipt inquiry that designates the firstidentification code to the electronic receipt server 5. The mobiledevice 6 displays the received electronic receipt information on thedisplay unit 63.

The first identification code maybe correlated with the secondidentification code which is issued to each customer by each company.Here, the second identification code is, for example, a uniqueidentification code retained in a card medium such as a point carddistributed from the company. The second identification code is used tomanage customers or manages points issued to each customer according toa purchase amount.

For example, when the first identification code is correlated with thesecond identification code of each company, the following processes areperformed. The customer displays his or her first identification code asthe code symbol CS on the display unit 63 of the mobile device 6. Thecustomer presents the code symbol CS displayed on the mobile device 6together with a card medium issued by the company that operates thestore P1, to the sales person of the store P1. The salesperson reads thecode symbol CS (first identification code) displayed on the mobiledevice 6 using the code scanner (see FIG. 3) connected to the POSterminal 2. The salesperson reads the second identification codecontained in the presented card medium using a card reader 26 (see FIG.3) connected to the POS terminal 2. The POS terminal 2 transmits thefirst identification code and the second identification code togetherwith an identification code (company code) of the company P2 thatoperates the store P1 to the electronic receipt server 5 via the storeserver 3 and the company server 4. Thus, it is possible to correlate thesecond identification code issued to each customer by each company withthe first identification code. Hereinafter, a process for correlatingthe first identification code with the second identification code isreferred to as “correlation registration”.

In the electronic receipt system 1, when a transaction is performed inthe POS terminal 2 of the store P1, the receipt information (electronicreceipt information) indicating the transaction content thereof isgenerated. The generated electronic receipt information is sent to theelectronic receipt server 5 and then to the mobile device 6, and storedin and managed by the mobile device 6. The mobile device 6 that has abrowsing application such as a Web browser can display the electronicreceipt information.

Next, the configuration of major devices configuring the electronicreceipt system 1 will be described.

First, the POS terminal 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagramof the POS terminal 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the POS terminal 2 includes acontrol unit 21 that controls various calculations or the respectiveunits of the POS terminal 2. The control unit 21 is a computer(processor) that includes a central processing unit (CPU), a read onlymemory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and a real time clock (RTC).The ROM stores various programs and data. The random access memory (RAM)temporarily stores various programs or stores various data in arewritable manner. The real time clock (RTC) tracks current date andtime.

The control unit 21 is connected to an operation unit 22, the printer23, a display unit 24, the code scanner 25, and the card reader 26through a bus 29.

The operation unit 22 includes various operation keys for an operator toperform an operation input. Examples of the operation key includenumeric keys for inputting numerical values, a cursor key or an enterkey for selecting a predetermined item, and a subtotal key indicatingthe total price of merchandise for which sales registration has beenperformed in a transaction. Further, a transaction start key fordeclaring the start of a transactions and an end key for declaring theend of a transaction are provided.

The printer 23 is a printing device that prints a receipt or a journal.The printer 23 outputs a sheet receipt by printing the receiptinformation on a sheet such as a roll sheet under the control of theoperation unit 22.

For example, the display unit 24 is a liquid crystal display or thelike. The display unit 24 displays various kinds of information such asthe name and price of merchandise for which sales registration has beenperformed, the total price of one transaction, and a change amount. Thedisplay unit 24 includes a first display 24 a that displays variouskinds of information to a cashier, and a second display 24 b thatdisplays various kinds of information to the customer. The display unit24 may be a touch panel, and in this case, the touch panel functions asthe operation unit 22.

The code scanner 25 is a scanner device that optically reads the codesymbol such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code. For example, thecode scanner 25 reads the code symbol assigned to the merchandise or thecode symbol displayed on the mobile device 6, and outputs the readinformation to the control unit 21. A merchandise code of themerchandise is contained in the code symbol assigned to the merchandise.The code symbol displayed on the mobile device 6 contains the firstidentification code of a customer carrying the mobile device 6.

The card reader 26 is a reader device that reads information containedin a card medium. Examples of the card reader 26 include a magnetic cardreader that magnetically reads the information contained in the cardmedium, and an IC card reader that reads the information using ashort-range radio communication technology such as RFID. For example,the card reader 26 reads the second identification code from the cardmedium presented by the customer, and outputs the read information tothe control unit 21.

The control unit 21 is connected to a communication interface (I/F) 27through the bus 29. The control unit 21 is configured to be connectedthe network N1 or the network N2 through the communication I/F 27.

The control unit 21 is connected to a storage unit 28 through the bus29. For example, the storage unit 28 is a secondary storage device suchas a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). The storageunit 28 stores various setting information and programs for performingvarious POS operations including the merchandise sales data process. Thestorage unit 28 stores an output setting information table 28 a thatindicates an output method of information regarding each transaction.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of the output setting information table 28a. As shown in FIG. 4, the output setting information table 28 aincludes columns of a transaction classification, an output condition,and an output method, respectively. A classification of the transactionperformed in the POS terminal 2 is set in the column of “transactionclassification”. A condition according to the transactionclassification, and a specific character string (hereinafter, referredto as a transaction character string) included in the receiptinformation when this condition is satisfied is set in the column of“output condition”. An output method of the receipt information when thetransaction character string set in the “output condition” is includedin the receipt information is set in the column of “output method”.Printing of the receipt information on the sheet corresponds to anoutput form of “sheet receipt”. Transmission of the receipt informationas the electronic receipt information to an external device correspondsto an output form of “electronic receipt”.

For example, the following output condition and output method are set to“cancel” for cancelling the merchandise for which the registration hasbeen completed. A setting that the transaction character string of“cancel” is included in the receipt information when all merchandisesare cancelled is set to the output condition. When a character string of“cancel” is included in the receipt information, a setting that thereceipt information is printed is set to the output method.

For example, the following output condition and output method are set to“transaction holding” for performing transaction holding. A setting factthat a transaction character string of “holding” is included in thereceipt information when the “transaction holding” is performed is setto the output condition. When the character string of “holding” isincluded in the receipt information, a setting that the receiptinformation is printed is set to the output method.

For example, the following output condition and output method are set to“correlation registration” for performing the correlation registrationof the second identification code. A setting that a transactioncharacter string of “correlation” is included in the receipt informationwhen the “correlation registration” is performed is set to the outputcondition. When the character string of “correlation” is included in thereceipt information, a setting that the receipt information istransmitted as the electronic receipt is set to the output method.

The output setting information table 28 a may be used when the outputmethod is determined for each transaction. The setting content of theoutput setting information table 28 a is not limited to the example ofFIG. 4, and maybe arbitrarily set. An output method of anothertransaction (for example, “sales transaction” for performing themerchandise sales registration) that is not registered in the outputsetting information table 28 a may follow a default output setting (forexample, printing) or another rule.

The storage unit 28 stores POS identification information of the POSterminal 2 in an identification code managing region 28 b. For example,the POS identification information includes a POS number assigned to thePOS terminal 2, a company code (identification code of the company thatoperates the store), and a store code of the store P1 where the POSterminal 2 is located. The company code (identification code of thecompany that operates the store) may be stored in the company server 4.

The control unit 21 performs a process related to transaction indicatedby the operator, and generates receipt information according to thetransaction. The control unit 21 determines the output method (outputform) of the generated receipt information depending on whether or not aspecific character string is included in the receipt information.

Next, the configuration of the store server 3 will be described withreference to a block diagram in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of aconfiguration example of the store server 3. As shown in FIG. 5, thestore server 3 includes a control unit 31 that generally controlsvarious calculations or the respective units of the store server 3. Thecontrol unit 31 is a computer (processor) that includes a CPU, a ROM, aRAM, and a RTC.

The control unit 31 is configured to be connected to the network N1 orthe network N2 through a communication I/F 32 connected to a bus 34. Thecontrol unit 31 is connected to a storage unit 33 through a bus 34.

The storage unit 33 stores various kinds of setting information orvarious programs that can be executed by the control unit 31. Thestorage unit 33 stores the receipt information generated in the POSterminals 2 of the store P1 in a store receipt managing region 33 a. Thestorage unit 33 stores a merchandise master that includes merchandisedata such as merchandise name, merchandise code, and unit price ofmerchandise, in a merchandise master managing region 33 b. The storageunit 33 stores the company membership master in a company membershipmaster managing region 33 c. The merchandise master and the companymembership master may be distributed to the POS terminal 2 of the storeP1 at a predetermined timing.

When the company membership master is received from the company server4, the control unit 31 stores the company membership master in thecompany membership master managing region 33 c. The control unit 31opens the merchandise master managing region 33 b or the companymembership master managing region 33 c ensured in the storage unit 33 soas to be referred by the POS terminal 2 of the store. The control unit31 collects the receipt information items generated in the POS terminals2, and stores the collected information items in the store receiptmanaging region 33 a. When the electronic receipt information istransmitted to the company server 4 via the store server 3, the controlunit 31 transmits (sends) the electronic receipt information to thecompany server 4 when the electronic receipt information generated inthe POS terminal 2 is received.

Next, the configuration of the company server 4 will be described withreference to a block diagram in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of aconfiguration example of the company server 4. As shown in FIG. 6, thecompany server 4 includes a control unit 41 that controls variouscalculations or the respective units of the company server 4. Thecontrol unit 41 is a computer (processor) that includes a CPU, a ROM, aRAM, and a RTC.

The control unit 41 is configured to be connected to the network N2 orthe Network N3 through a communication I/F 42 connected to a bus 44. Thecontrol unit 41 is connected to a storage unit 43 through the bus 44.

The storage unit 43 stores various setting information items or variousprograms that can be executed by the control unit 41. The storage unit43 stores the electronic receipt information items transmitted from thestores P1 operated by the company in a company receipt managing region43 a.

When the company membership master is received from the electronicreceipt server 5, the control unit 41 transmits (sends) the companymembership master to the store server 3 of the store P1 operated by thecompany. When the electronic receipt information is received from thestore (the POS terminal 2 or the store server 3) operated by thecompany, the control unit 41 stores the electronic receipt informationin the company receipt managing region 43 a. The control unit 41transmits the electronic receipt information stored in the companyreceipt managing region 43 a to the electronic receipt server 5 at apredetermined timing. Here, the timing at which the electronic receiptinformation is transmitted is not particularly limited. For example, theelectronic receipt information maybe transmitted whenever the electronicreceipt information is stored in the company receipt managing region 43a. The electronic receipt information stored in the company receiptmanaging region 43 a may be transmitted at a predetermined time intervalsuch as once an hour.

Next, the configuration of the electronic receipt server 5 will bedescribed with reference to a block diagram in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a blockdiagram showing a configuration example of the electronic receipt server5. As shown in FIG. 7, the electronic receipt server 5 includes acontrol unit 51 that generally controls various calculations or therespective units of the electronic receipt server 5. The control unit 51is a computer (processor) that includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and a RTC.

The control unit 51 is configured to be connected to the network N3 orthe network N4 through a communication I/F 52 connected to a bus 54. Thecontrol unit 51 is connected to a storage unit 53 through the bus 54.

The storage unit 53 stores various kinds of setting information orvarious programs that can be executed by the control unit 51. Thestorage unit 53 stores a membership master in a membership mastermanaging region 53 a.

Here, FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a data structure of themembership master managing region 53 a (membership master). As shown inFIG. 8, the membership master includes name and transmission destinationinformation correlated with the first identification code of the member.The membership master also includes the first identification code of themember for which the correlation registration has been performed incorrelation with the company code and the second identification code.

For example, the first identification code represents a numerical valueof a plurality of digits. Here, FIG. 9 illustrates an example of aformat of the first identification code. In FIG. 9, the firstidentification code C1 is a numerical value of 16 digits.

The first identification code C1 includes three parts of a header partC11, a data part C12, and an option part C13. A specific numerical value(for example, “99”) indicating that this code is the firstidentification code is included in the header part C11. A uniquenumerical value allocated to each member is included in the data partC12. A numerical value indicating various additional conditions isincluded in the option part C13. In FIG. 9, upper two digits representthe header part C11, the subsequent 10 digits represent the data partC12, and the last 4 digits represent the option part C13, but the numberof digits of the respective parts is not limited thereto.

The storage unit 53 stores the electronic receipt informationtransmitted from the respective company servers in the electronicreceipt managing region 53 b. More specifically, the electronic receiptmanaging region 53 b is used to manage the electronic receiptinformation of each company that operates the stores for each member.The electronic receipt information includes the first identificationcode, the company code, the store code, the POS number, a receiptnumber, and the merchandise sales data (including date and time data).

When the electronic receipt information is received from the companyserver 4 of each company, the control unit 51 stores the electronicreceipt information in the electronic receipt managing region 53 b. Whenthe electronic receipt information indicates the correlationregistration, the control unit 51 registers the company code and thesecond identification code in correlation with the first identificationcode included in the electronic receipt information, in the membershipmaster managing region 53 a. The control unit 51 extracts dataindicating the correlation relationship between the first identificationcode and the second identification code for each company (company code)from the membership maser managing region 53 a. The control unit 51transmits the extracted data as the company membership master to thecompany server 4 of the corresponding company.

When the electronic receipt information is stored in the electronicreceipt information region 53 b, the control unit 51 specifies atransmission destination by referring to the transmission destinationinformation correlated with the first identification code of theelectronic receipt information. The control unit 51 provides (sends) theelectronic receipt information stored in the electronic receipt managingregion 53 b to this transmission destination. When an electronic receiptinquiry that designates the first identification code is received fromthe mobile device 6, the control unit 51 extracts the electronic receiptinformation corresponding to the first identification code from theelectronic receipt managing region 53 b. The control unit 51 operates totransmit the extracted electronic receipt information to the mobiledevice 6.

Next, the configuration of the mobile device 6 will be described withreference to a block diagram in FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a block diagram of aconfiguration example of the mobile device 6. As shown in FIG. 10, themobile device 6 includes a control unit 61 that generally controlsvarious calculations or the respective units of the mobile device 6. Thecontrol unit 61 is a computer (processor) that includes a CPU, a ROM, aRAM and a RTC.

The control unit 61 is connected to an operation unit 62 and a displayunit 63 through a bus 66. The operation unit 62 includes a pointingdevice and various operation keys for performing an operation input by auser (customer). The display unit 63 is, for example, a liquid crystaldisplay, and displays various kinds of information including electronicreceipt information. The display unit 63 may be a touch panel, and inthis case, the touch panel functions as the operation unit 62.

The control unit 61 is connected to a communication I/F 64 through thebus 66. The control unit 61 is configured to be connected to the networkN4 through the communication I/F 64. The control unit 61 is configuredto be connected to the network N1 through the communication I/F 64.

The control unit 61 is connected to a storage unit 65 through the bus66. The storage unit 65 stores various kinds of setting information orvarious programs that can be executed by the control unit 61, such as aWeb browser for browsing various information items (contents). Thestorage unit 65 stores the first identification code in a firstidentification code managing region 65 a.

The control unit 61 receives the electronic receipt information of thetransaction from the electronic receipt server 5. The control unit 61receives the electronic receipt information correlated with the firstidentification code from the electronic receipt server 5 by transmittingthe electronic receipt inquiry that designates the first identificationcode to the electronic receipt server 5. The control unit 61 displaysthe received electronic receipt information on the display unit 63.

Next, the functional configuration of the control unit 21 of the POSterminal 2, which is the printing control device, according to thepresent embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 11, the CPU ofthe control unit 21 generates a receipt information generating section211, and an output processing section 212, as functional sections, incooperation with the programs stored in the ROM or the storage unit 28.Here, FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the functional configuration of thecontrol unit 21.

The receipt information generating section 211 is a functional sectionthat generates print data (receipt information) of various transactionsand receipts. Specifically, when the start of the transaction isindicated through the transaction start key of the operation unit 22,the receipt information generating section 211 performs a processaccording to the transaction, and generates the print data according tothe transaction.

For example, when the execution of the merchandise sales registration isindicated as the transaction classification, the receipt informationgenerating section 211 obtains the merchandise code of the merchandisethrough the code scanner 25. Subsequently, the receipt informationgenerating section 211 reads the merchandise data corresponding to themerchandise code from the merchandise master. The receipt informationgenerating section 211 performs the merchandise sales data process tocalculate a total price based on a unit prices included in the readmerchandise data. The receipt information generating section 211generates the receipt information indicating the statement of thetransaction.

The receipt information generating section 211 adds the transactioncharacter string according to the transaction classification beingperformed to the receipt information based on the output settinginformation table 28 a. Specifically, when the “transactionclassification” set to the output setting information table 28 a isperformed, the receipt information generating section 211 adds thetransaction character string set as the “output condition” to thereceipt information when the condition set as the “output condition” issatisfied.

The receipt information generating section 211 receives an input of thefirst identification code of the customer at any timing during onetransaction. Specifically, when the first identification code is readthrough the code scanner 25, the receipt information generating section211 determines that the first identification code is received. When thesecond identification code is received through the card reader 26, thereceipt information generating section 211 inquires the firstidentification code corresponding to the second identification code ofthe company membership master. When the corresponding firstidentification code is obtained from the company membership master, thereceipt information generating section 211 determines that the firstidentification code is received.

When the first identification code is received, the receipt informationgenerating section 211 adds a character string (hereinafter, referred toas a flag character string) indicating that the first identificationcode is present to the receipt information. When the firstidentification code and the second identification code are received, thereceipt information generating section 211 adds these identificationcodes to the receipt information.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are schematic diagrams showing examples of the receiptinformation. Here, the receipt information is unstructured text data,and is used for printing by the printer 23.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the receipt information includes dataelements such as a company code (company name) D1 of the company thatoperates the stores, a store code D2, transaction date and time D3, atransaction number (receipt number) D4, a cash register number D5, andthe name of a casher D6.

The receipt information includes a data element of content according tothe transaction classification. For example, when the merchandise salesregistration is performed, the transaction content such as themerchandise name (merchandise code) or price of the registeredmerchandise, the total price of the merchandise, and deposit amount paidby the customer is included in a region D7, as shown in FIG. 12.

When the receipt information corresponds to the “transactionclassification” and the “output condition” of the output settinginformation table 28 a, the receipt information generating section 211generates the receipt information including the transaction characterstring set as the “output condition”, as shown in FIG. 13. Here, FIG. 13illustrates an example of the receipt information generated when thecorrelation registration is performed. As shown in FIG. 13, when thecorrelation registration is performed, a character string of“correlation”, is included in the receipt information as a transactioncharacter string D8.

When the first identification code is input, the receipt informationgenerating section 211 generates the receipt information including aflag character string D9 indicating that the first identification codeis present, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. In FIGS. 12 and 13, a characterstring of “SKID” is used as the flag character string D9, but thepresent embodiment is not limited thereto.

When the first identification code or the second identification code isinput, the receipt information generating section 211 generates thereceipt information including a first identification code D10 and asecond identification code D11 that indicate these identification codes.Specifically, FIG. 12 shows an example in which the first identificationcode is input, and the value thereof is included in the receiptinformation as the first identification code D10. FIG. 13 shows anexample in which the first identification code and the secondidentification code are input, and the values thereof are included inthe receipt information as the first identification code D10 and thesecond identification code D11, respectively.

The receipt information generating section 211 adds a command characterstring D12 to the last of the first identification code D10 in responseto the indication from the operator. The command character string D12 isused to exceptionally indicate the output method of the receiptinformation.

For example, when the printing of the receipt information is indicated,the receipt information generating section 211 adds the commandcharacter string D12 (for example, “*A”) indicating the printing to thelast of the first identification code D10. When the printing of thereceipt information and the transmitting (hereinafter, referred to as“transmission”) of the receipt information as the electronic receiptinformation to an external device are indicated, the receipt informationgenerating section 211 adds the command character string D12 (forexample, “*B”) indicating the printing and the transmission to the lastof the first identification code D10.

In the present embodiment, the command character string D12 is added inresponse to the indication operation by the operator, but the presentembodiment is not limited thereto. For example, a condition for addingthe command character string D12 may be correlated with the addedcommand character string D12, and the correlated information may bepreviously set as setting information.

In this case, a “case of an offline state” may be set as a condition,and the setting may be performed such that the command character stringD12 indicating the “printing” is added. When this setting is adopted,even if the receipt information is supposed to be transmitted as theelectronic receipt information to the external device, the sheet receiptis output in the offline state. In the present embodiment, the conditionrelated to this offline state is set as the setting information.

A “case where the flag character string D9 is present” may be set asanother condition, and the setting may be performed such that thecommand character string D12 indicating the “printing” or the“transmission” is added. The setting may be performed such that thecommand character string D12 is added for each transactionclassification. The command character string D12 may be set as thetransaction character string set to the “output condition” of the outputsetting information table 28 a.

In the present embodiment, the electronic receipt information istransmitted when the command character string D12 is not added, but thepresent embodiment is not limited thereto. The transmission may beexplicitly performed by the command character string D12. When neitherthe printing nor the transmission is not performed, the commandcharacter string D12 according to the command content may be added.

Referring back to FIG. 11, the output processing section 212 is afunctional unit that outputs the receipt information generated by thereceipt information generating section 211. As shown in FIG. 11, theoutput processing section 212 includes a state determining section 2121,a filer processing section 2122, a print outputting section 2123, and anelectronic receipt outputting unit 2124.

The state determining section 2121 determines a communication statebetween the POS terminal and the external device in cooperation with thecommunication I/F 27. Here, the external device is a transmissiondestination of the electronic receipt information, such as the storeserver 3 or the company server 4. When the electronic receiptinformation is directly transmitted to the electronic receipt server 5,the communication state between the POS terminal and the electronicreceipt server 5 may be checked.

For example, the state determining section 2121 determines whether ornot the POS terminal is in an online state capable of communicating withthe external device through polling. Here, when the communicationbetween the POS terminal and the external device is not available due toa communication error, the state determining section 2121 determinesthat the communication state is an offline state. Here, a timing atwhich the communication state is checked is not particularly limited.For example, the communication state may be checked at a predeterminedtime interval, or may be checked when the electronic receipt informationis transmitted to the external device.

The filter processing section 2122 determines whether or not thespecific character string is included in the receipt information, anddetermines the output method (output form) of the receipt informationbased on the determined result.

Specifically, the filter processing section 2122 determines whether ornot the flag character string D9 (for example, “SKID”) is included inthe receipt information. Here, the flag character string D9 correspondsto a first character string.

When the flag character string D9 is not included in the receiptinformation, the filter processing section 2122 determines that theoutput of the sheet receipt is designated, and outputs the receiptinformation to the print outputting section 2123. Meanwhile, when theflag character string D9 is included in the receipt information, thatis, when the first identification code is input, the filter processingsection 2122 determines that the output of the electronic receipt(electronic receipt information) is designated. Subsequently, the filterprocessing section 2122 determines whether or not a predeterminednumerical value (for example, “99”) is included in the header part C11of the first identification code D10.

When the predetermined numerical value is not included in the headerpart C11, it is difficult to use the first identification code D10 asthe first identification code of the electronic receipt system. Thus,when the predetermined numerical value is not included in the headerpart C11, the filter processing section 2122 is excluded from anoutputting target of the electronic receipt information by outputtingthe receipt information to the print outputting section 2123.

When the predetermined numerical value is included in the header partC11, the filter processing section 2122 determines whether or not thetransaction character string D8 is included in the receipt information.Here, the transaction character string D8 corresponds to a secondcharacter string.

More specifically, the filter processing section 2122 determines whetheror not any transaction character string D8 set to the “output condition”is included in the receipt information by referring to the outputsetting information table 28 a. When the transaction character string D8is included in the receipt information, the filter processing section2122 outputs the receipt information according to the output method setin correlation with the transaction character string D8. Here, when the“printing” is set as the output method, the filter processing section2122 determines that the output of the sheet receipt is designated, andoutputs the receipt information to the print outputting section 2123.When the “transmission” is set as the output method, the filterprocessing section 2122 determines that the output of the electronicreceipt information is designated, and outputs the receipt informationto the electronic receipt outputting section 2124.

When the transaction character string D8 is not included in the receiptinformation, the filter processing section 2122 determines whether ornot the command character string D12 is added to the last of the firstidentification code D10. Here, the command character string D12corresponds to a third character string and a fourth character string.

When the command character string D12 is not added to the last of thefirst identification code D10, the filter processing section 2122outputs the receipt information as a default setting to the electronicreceipt outputting section 2124.

Meanwhile, when the command character string D12 is added, the filterprocessing section 2122 outputs the receipt information according to thecommand character string D12. Here, when the command character stringD12 indicates the “printing”, the filter processing section 2122determines that the output of the sheet receipt is designated, andoutputs the receipt information to the print outputting section 2123.When the command character sting D12 indicates both the “printing” andthe “transmission”, the filter processing section 2122 determines thatboth the output of the sheet receipt and the output of the electronicreceipt information are designated. In this case, the filter processingsection 2122 outputs the receipt information to both the printoutputting section 2123 and the electronic receipt outputting section2124.

For example, the print outputting section 2123 is a printer driver. Whenthe receipt information is input from the filter processing section2122, the print outputting section 2123 prints the receipt informationon the sheet by controlling the printer 23.

For example, the electronic receipt outputting section 2124 is a networkdriver. When the receipt information is input from the filter processingsection 2122, the electronic receipt outputting section 2124 convertsthe receipt information into a predetermined data format according to apredetermined conversion rule. The electronic receipt outputting section2124 transmits (outputs) the receipt information of which the dataformat is converted, that is, the electronic receipt information to thecompany server 4 through the communication I/F 27. The electronicreceipt information may be transmitted to the company server 4 throughthe store server 3, or may be directly transmitted to the company server4. Alternatively, the electronic receipt information maybe directlytransmitted to the electronic receipt server 5.

Here, the electronic receipt information includes structured data(structured document) such as XML or CSV. The receipt information isconverted into the electronic receipt information based on apredetermined conversion rule. Specifically, predetermined elementsconfiguring the receipt information and attribute information (tags)indicating attributes of these elements are defined in the conversionrule. The electronic receipt outputting section 2124 generatesstructured electronic receipt information by structuring the respectiveelements of the receipt information using the corresponding attributeinformation. Since it is possible to efficiently use the elementsincluded in the electronic receipt information when structured, it ispossible to obtain various advantages in view of data management.

In the present embodiment, although the state determining section 2121and the electronic receipt outputting section 2124 are separatelyprovided, the electronic receipt outputting section 2124 may have afunction of the state determining section 2121.

Hereinafter, the operation of the POS terminal 2 will be described withreference to FIGS. 14 and 15. Here, FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing anexample of a receipt generating process performed by the POS terminal 2.The state determining section 2121 determines the communication state inthe background of this process.

First, when the transaction classification is designated as an executingtarget by the operator, the receipt information generating section 211of the POS terminal 2 starts the process according to the transactionclassification (Act 11). For example, when the “sales registration” isdesignated as the transaction classification, the receipt informationgenerating section 211 starts to perform the merchandise salesregistration. When the “correlation registration” is designated as thetransaction classification, the receipt information generating unitstarts the process of performing the correlation registration.

Subsequently, the receipt information generating section 211 determineswhether or not the first identification code has been input in advance(Act 12). When the first identification code has not been input (Act 12;No), the receipt information generating section 211 determines whetheror not the first identification code is received (Act 13). Here, whenthe first identification code is received (Act 13; Yes), the receiptinformation generating section 211 temporarily stores the firstidentification code in the RAM (Act 14), and the process proceeds to Act17. Even when the first identification code is not received (Act 13;No), the process proceeds to Act 17.

Meanwhile, when the first identification code has been input in advance(Act 12; Yes), the receipt information generating section 211 determineswhether or not the output method of the receipt information is indicated(Act 15). Here, the output method may be indicated by the operation ofthe operator or by predetermined setting information.

When the output method is indicated (Act 15; Yes), the receiptinformation generating section 211 temporarily stores the indicatedoutput method in the RAM (Act 16), and the process proceeds to Act 17.Even when the output method is not indicated (Act 15; No), the processproceeds to Act 17.

Thereafter, the receipt information generating section 211 determineswhether or not the second identification code has been input in advance(Act 17). Here, when the second identification code has been input (Act17; Yes), the process proceeds to Act 20.

When the second identification code has not been input (Act 17; No), thereceipt information generating section 211 determines whether or not thesecond identification code is received (Act 18). Here, when the secondidentification code is received (Act 18; Yes), the receipt informationgenerating section 211 temporarily stores this second identificationcode in the RAM (Act 19), and the process proceeds to Act 20. Even whenthe second identification code is not received (Act 18; No), the processproceeds to Act 20.

When the first identification code corresponding to the secondidentification code is registered in the company membership master, thereceipt information generating section 211 obtains this firstidentification code from the company membership master. In Act 13, it isdetermined that the input of the first identification code is received.

Subsequently, the receipt information generating section 211 determineswhether or not the end of the transaction is indicated by the operationof the end key (Act 20). When the end of the transaction is notindicated (Act 20; No), the receipt information generating section 211returns to Act 12, and waists for the input of the first identificationcode or the second identification code, and the indication input of theoutput method.

When the indication of ending the transaction is received in Act 20 (Act20; Yes), the receipt information generating section 211 generates thereceipt information according to this transaction content (Act 21), andends the process.

Here, the specific character string according to the processed resultsof Act 11 to Act 19 is included in the receipt information generated inAct 21. Specifically, when the transaction classification of thetransaction performed in Act 11 is set in the output setting informationtable 28 a, the transaction character string is included in the receiptinformation. When the first identification code is received in Act 13,the flag character string D9 and the first identification code D10 areincluded in the receipt information. When the second identification codeis received in Act 18, the second identification code D11 is included inthe receipt information. When the indication of the output method isreceived in Act 15, the command character string D12 according to thisoutput method is added to the last of the first identification code D10.When the communication state is the offline state, the command characterstring D12 indicating the “printing” is added to the last of the firstidentification code D10.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of a receipt outputtingprocess performed by the POS terminal 2. This process is performed afterthe receipt generating process is performed.

The filter processing section 2122 analyzes the receipt informationgenerated in the receipt generating process, and determines whether ornot the specific character string is included in the receiptinformation. First, the filter processing section 2122 determineswhether or not the flag character string D9 is included in the receiptinformation (Act 31). When the flag character string D9 is not includedin the receipt information (Act 31; No), the filter processing section2122 prints the receipt information on the sheet by outputting thereceipt information to the print outputting section 2123 (Act 37).

When the flag character string D9 is included in the receipt information(Act 31; Yes), the filter processing section 2122 determines whether ornot a predetermined numerical value is included in the header part C11of the first identification code D10 (Act 32). When the predeterminednumerical value is not included in the header part C11 (Act 32; No), thefilter processing section 2122 prints the receipt by outputting thereceipt information to the print outputting section 2123 (Act 37).

When the predetermined numerical value is included in the header partC11 (Act 32; Yes), the filter processing section 2122 determines whetheror not the command character string D12 is added to the last of thefirst identification code D10 (Act 33). When the command characterstring D12 is added (Act 33; Yes), the filter processing section 2122determines the output method indicated by the command character stringD12 (Act 35).

When the command character string D12 is not added (Act 33; No), thefilter processing section 2122 determines whether or not the transactioncharacter string D8 set to the output setting information table 28 a isincluded in the receipt information (Act 34). When the transactioncharacter string D8 is included (Act 34; Yes), the filter processingsection 2122 determines the process method according to the transactioncharacter string D8 by referring to the output setting information table28 a (Act 35). When the transaction character string D8 is not included(Act 34; No), the filter processing section 2122 proceeds to Act 38.

As the determined result in Act 35, when the output method indicates theprinting (Act 36; No), the filter processing section 2122 prints thereceipt by outputting the receipt information to the print outputtingsection 2123 (Act 37).

Meanwhile, as the determined result of Act 35, when the output methodindicates the transmission of the electronic receipt information (Act36; Yes), the filter processing section 2122 proceeds Act 38. In Act 38,the filter processing section 2122 transmits the receipt information asthe electronic receipt information to the external device by outputtingthe receipt information to the electronic receipt outputting section2124 (Act 38). When the output method indicates both the printing andthe transmission, the filter processing section 2122 performs both Act37 and Act 38.

As described above, the POS terminal 2 according to the presentembodiment generates the receipt information including the specificcharacter string indicating the output method based on the indicationfrom the operator or the predetermined setting information. The POSterminal 2 determines the output method of the receipt informationaccording to the specific character string included in the receiptinformation. As described above, since the output method of the receiptinformation can be arbitrarily designated by the specific characterstring included in the receipt information, the POS terminal 2 canflexibly output the receipt information.

The POS terminal 2 according to the present embodiment can usability ofthe electronic receipt system by outputting the receipt according to thecommunication state with the external device. Specifically, even whenthe output of the electronic receipt information is designated, the POSterminal 2 outputs the receipt information from the printer 23 when thedetermined result of the state determining section 2121 is the offlinestate. Thus, the customer can check the transaction content of thetransaction performed in the offline state by reviewing the sheetreceipt.

Second Embodiment

In the first embodiment, when the communication state is the offlinestate, control is performed such that the sheet receipt is output byadding the command character string D12 indicating the “printing”. In asecond embodiment, when the communication state is the offline state,the sheet receipt is output by directly using the determined result ofthe state determining section 2121. In the second embodiment, thecondition related to the offline state of the communication state is notset as the setting information. The same elements as those in the firstembodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals, and thedescription thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a functional configuration of a controlunit 21A of a POS terminal according to the second embodiment. Thecontrol unit 21A includes a receipt information generating section 211,and an output processing section 212A. Further, the output processingsection 212A includes a state determining section 2121, a filterprocessing section 2122A, a print outputting section 2123, and anelectronic receipt outputting section 2124.

Similarly to the filter processing section 2122, the filter processingsection 2122A determines the output method of the receipt informationbased on the specific character string included in the receiptinformation.

When the receipt information is output to the electronic receiptoutputting section 2124, the filter processing section 2122A refers tothe determined result of the state determining section 2121. Here, whenthe determined result of the state determining section 2121 is theonline state, the filter processing section 2122A outputs the receiptinformation to the electronic receipt outputting section 2124.

Meanwhile, when the determined result of the state determining section2121 is the offline state, the filter processing section 2122A notifiesthe operator that the communication state is the offline state. Thenotification method is not particularly limited, and, for example,notification information such as a message or an icon image indicatingthat the communication state is the offline state may be displayed onthe display unit 24 (first display 24 a). The filter processing section2122A holds the output of the receipt information to the electronicreceipt outputting section 2124 by temporarily storing the receiptinformation in the RAM. The filter processing section 2122A prints thereceipt information on the receipt by outputting the receipt informationto the electronic receipt outputting section 2124. When the determinedresult of the state determining section 2121 returns to the onlinestate, the filter processing section 2122A transmits the temporarilystored receipt information to the external device by outputting thereceipt information to the electronic receipt outputting section 2124.

As described above, when the POS terminal is in the offline state, thecontrol unit 21A temporarily holds the transmission of the receiptinformation, and prints the receipt information instead. Thus, thecustomer can check the transaction content by reviewing the printedreceipt for a period during which the electric receipt information.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of a receipt outputtingprocess performed by the control unit 21A. For example, this process isperformed after the receipt generating process (See FIG. 14) describedin the first embodiment has been performed. For example, this processcorresponds to Act 36 to Act 38 of the receipt outputting process (seeFIG. 15) described in the first embodiment. The state determiningsection 2121 determines the communication state in the background ofthis process.

First, the filter processing section 2122A determines the output method(output form) of the receipt information based on the specific characterstring included in the receipt information (Act 41). When it isdetermined that the sheet receipt is output (printed) (Act 41; No), thefilter processing section 2122A outputs the sheet receipt by outputtingthe receipt information to the print outputting section 2123 (Act 42).

When it is determined that the electronic receipt information is output(transmitted) (Act 41; Yes), the filter processing section 2122Adetermines whether or not the communication state is the online state byreferring to the determined result of the state determining section 2121(Act 43). When the determined result is the online state (Act 43; Yes),the process proceeds to Act 49.

Meanwhile, when the determined result is the offline state (Act 43; No),the filter processing section 2122A displays notification informationnotifying that the communication state is the offline state on thedisplay unit (first display 24 a) (Act 44). Subsequently, the filterprocessing section 2122A temporarily stores the receipt information inthe RAM (Act 45). The filter processing section 2122A outputs the sheetreceipt by outputting the receipt information temporarily stored in Act45 to the print outputting section 2123 (Act 46).

Thereafter, the filter processing section 2122A waits until thedetermined result of the state determining section 2121 returns to theonline state (Act 47; No). When the communication state is switched tothe online state (Act 47; Yes), the filter processing section 2122Acancels the notification (Act 48), and the process proceeds to Act 49.

The filter processing section 2122A transmits the electronic receiptinformation to the external device by outputting the receipt informationto the electronic receipt outputting section 2124 (Act 49), and endsthis process.

When the output methods are both the printing and the transmission, thefilter processing section 2122A performs both Act 42 and Act 49 (Act 43to Act 49). In this case, when the POS terminal is in the offline state,Act 46 maybe skipped such that the receipt is not repeatedly printed inAct 42 and Act 46.

As described above, the POS terminal according to the present embodimentcan improve usability of the electronic receipt system by outputting thereceipt according to the communication state with the external device.Specifically, even when the output of the electronic receipt informationis designated, the POS terminal outputs the receipt information from theprinter 23 when the determined result of the state determining section2121 is the offline state. When the determined result of the statedetermining section 2121 is switched (returns) to the online state fromthe offline state, the POS terminal transmits the receipt informationoutput onto the sheet receipt to the external device. Since the customercan check the transaction content by the sheet receipt for a periodduring which the electronic receipt information is supplied, it ispossible to improve usability of the electronic receipt system.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been described, thepresent invention is not limited to these embodiments, and variouschanges, substitutions, additions, and combinations are possible withoutdeparting from the gist of the present invention. Additional effects ormodifications can be easily derived by those skilled in the art.Accordingly, a wider aspect of the present invention is not limited bythe specific details and the representative embodiment represented anddescribed above. Therefore, various changes are possible withoutdeparting from the spirit or the scope of the general concept of thepresent invention defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

For example, although it is described in the above embodiments that theprinting control device is applied to the POS terminal 2, an applicationtarget is not limited thereto.

Although it is described in the above embodiments that the output methodis determined based on the plurality of elements such as the flagcharacter string D9 or the command character string D12 included in thereceipt information, the embodiments are not limited thereto. The outputmethod may be determined based on a part of the elements. For example,the output method may be determined based on whether or not the flagcharacter string D9 (or the first identification code) is included inthe receipt information. When this configuration is adopted, the outputsetting information table 28 a or the command character string D12 arenot necessary in the POS terminal according to the second embodiment.

Although it is described in the first embodiment that the output methoddesignated by the command character string is adopted preferentially tothe output method designated by another specific character string, theembodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the output methoddesignated by the transaction character string may be mostpreferentially adopted. When the plurality of specific character stringsis included in the receipt information, the adopted output method may bedetermined based on a priority between the specific character stringsthat are set in advance.

Although it has been described in the second embodiment that theoperator of the POS terminal 2 is notified that the communication stateis the offline state is transmitted to by displaying the notificationinformation on the display unit 24 (first display 24 a), thenotification information may be transmitted to the customer. Forexample, the filter processing section 2122 may notify the customer thatthe communication state is the offline state by displaying notificationinformation on the display unit 24 (second display 24 b). The filterprocessing section 2122 may notify through the sheet output by theprinter 23 by outputting the receipt information and the notificationinformation to the print outputting section 2123. For example, when thenotification information is transmitted to the customer, thenotification that the electronic receipt information is provided may beperformed as soon as the communication state returns to the onlinestate.

The configuration of the POS terminal according to the second embodimentwhich is related to the notification in the offline state may be appliedto the POS terminal 2 according to the first embodiment. Further, theconfiguration of the POS terminal according to the second embodimentwhich is related to the operation at the time of returning to the onlinestate may be applied to the POS terminal 2 according to the firstembodiment.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described hereinmay be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodimentsdescribed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of theinventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intendedto cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope andspirit of the inventions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A transaction data processing apparatus,comprising: a scanning unit configured to scan a product code of aproduct related to a transaction; a printing unit configured to printtransaction data on a sheet; a communication unit configured to transmitthe transaction data to an external device over a network; and a controlunit configured to generate the transaction data based on the scannedproduct code, determine whether the network is online or offline, andcontrol the communication unit to transmit the transaction data to theexternal device when the network is online, and the printing unit toprint the transaction data on the sheet when the network is offline. 2.The transaction data processing apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe control unit is further configured to include information indicatinga state of the network in the transaction data to be generated,corresponding to a determination result, and the transaction data isprinted by the printing unit or transmitted by the communication unit,based on the information.
 3. The transaction data processing apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein the control unit controls thecommunication unit to transmit the transaction data to the externaldevice when the information indicates that the network is online, andthe printing unit to print the transaction data on the sheet when theinformation indicates that the network is offline.
 4. The transactiondata processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unitis further configured to determine a destination of the transactiondata, and the transaction data is printed by the printing unit even ifthe determined destination is the external device, when the network isdetermined to be offline.
 5. The transaction data processing apparatusaccording to claim 4, further comprising: a reading unit configured toread a customer code of a customer, wherein the control unit determinesthe destination of the transaction data based on whether or not thereading unit has read the customer code.
 6. The transaction dataprocessing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control unit isfurther configured to include information indicating the destination ofthe transaction data in the transaction data to be generated.
 7. Thetransaction data processing apparatus according to claim 4, furthercomprising: an operation unit configured to receive a user selection ofa destination of the transaction data, and the control unit determinesthe destination of the transaction data based on the user selection. 8.The transaction data processing apparatus according to claim 7, whereinthe control unit is further configured to include information indicatingthe destination of the transaction data in the transaction data to begenerated.
 9. The transaction data processing apparatus according toclaim 4, wherein the control unit determines the destination of thetransaction data based on a type of the transaction.
 10. The transactiondata processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control unitis further configured to include information indicating the destinationof the transaction data in the transaction data to be generated.
 11. Thetransaction data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thecontrol unit is further configured to control the communication unit totransmit the transaction data to the external device when a state of thenetwork changed from an offline state to an online state after theprinting unit has printed the transaction data.
 12. The transaction dataprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a displayunit configured to display information indicating that the network isoffline.
 13. The transaction data processing apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the printing unit is further configured to print, onthe sheet, information indicating that the network is offline.
 14. Amethod for processing transaction data, comprising: scanning a productcode of a product related to a transaction; generating transaction databased on the scanned product code; determining whether a communicationnetwork is online or offline; transmitting the transaction data to theexternal device over the communication network when the communicationnetwork is online; and printing the transaction data on a sheet when thecommunication network is offline.
 15. The method according to claim 14,wherein the generated transaction data includes information indicating astate of the communication network, in the transaction data to begenerated, and the transaction data is printed by the printing unit ortransmitted by the communication unit, based on the determining.
 16. Themethod according to claim 14, further comprising: determining adestination of the transaction data based on at least one of whether ornot a customer code of a customer has been obtained, a user selection ofa destination, and a type of the transaction, wherein the transactiondata is printed on the sheet even if the determined destination is theexternal device, when the communication network is offline.
 17. Themethod according to claim 16, wherein the generated transaction dataincludes information indicating the destination of the transaction data.18. The method according to claim 14, further comprising: transmittingthe transaction data to the external device when the communicationnetwork is changed from an offline state to an online state after thetransaction data has been printed.
 19. The method according to claim 14,further comprising: displaying information indicating that thecommunication network is offline.
 20. The method according to claim 14,further comprising: printing, on the sheet, information indicating thatthe communication network is offline.